One-day tasks are usually arranged every other Sunday throughout the year at a number of National Trust locations throughout West and North Yorkshire.
We also usually arrange two weekend tasks per year; One in Borrowdale in the Lake District in April, and another at Cragside, Northumberland in November.
In addition to these regular tasks, sometimes we get an opportunity to work at a property outside our area.
In September 2008 we helped re-chalk the Cerne Abbas Giant in Dorset as a suitable way of celebrating the group's 25th anniversary. Click here to read our special task report.
Each task has a designated group contact who is responsible for recording which volunteers plan to attend and liasing with the warden/gardener. Group Contacts are listed in the current programme.
It is recommended that volunteers contact the group contact a few days before the task (e.g. Tuesday evening) to confirm their attendance. This allows the group contact to give the warden/gardener an idea of how many people to expect so that they can plan jobs, tools, etc. Also, some tasks have a maximum limit on volunteers. The group contact should also be able to provide more details about what we will be doing on the task, any last minute changes to the meeting point, etc as well as answer any questions.
You should try to get to the meeting point for 9.45am. Remember to bring a packed lunch, sturdy footwear, and gardening gloves if you have any. Don’t wear your best clothes!
Tasks usually start at 10am. Before each task, the Warden/Gardener explains what needs doing, how we are going to do it and usually why we are doing it. If any special tools or techniques are to be used, these are explained and volunteers have an opportunity to ask any questions. No previous training or knowledge is needed and volunteers are able to work at their own pace.
Tasks usually end around 4pm.
